By Rex Clementine, IANS,
Galle (Sri Lanka) : Virender Sehwag’s half-century extended India’s lead to 158 runs by tea on third day of the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium here Saturday.
After bowling out Sri Lanka for 292 in their first innings, the tourists gained a first innings lead of 37 runs and the game was nicely poised at that stage. India dominated the afternoon session reaching 121 for one losing the wicket of Sehwag (50).
Gautam Gambhir and Sehwag added 90 runs for the first wicket. For his 14th Test half-century, Sehwag faced 52 balls and hit six boundaries and a six. Chaminda Vaas picked up Sehwag’s wicket when the batsman drove a full delivery firmly only to be snatched up by Tillekeratne Dilshan at covers.
At the break, Gambhir was unbeaten on 56 with Rahul Dravid on 14.
The Indians arrived in Galle after a humiliating defeat in Colombo, where they lost the first Test by an innings and 239 runs. They reached 329 runs in the first innings thanks to Sehwag’s double hundred and then Harbhajan Singh claimed six wickets to stop Sri Lanka at 292.
Resuming at the overnight score of 215 for five, Sri Lanka were bowled out inside 300 Saturday morning. While Harbhajan finished with six for 102, Indian captain Anil Kumble claimed three for 82.
The hosts had progressed nicely to 291 for seven with captain Mahela Jayawardene (86) extending the eighth wicket partnership to 36 runs with Nuwan Kulasekara, but his dismissal triggered a lower order collapse as Sri Lanka lost three wickets for just one run.